Tag: Chinese Mythology

The Chinese and the Moon

In Chinese minds, the moon is associated with gentleness and brightness, expressing the beautiful yearnings of the Chinese. On the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, the moon is full and it is time to mark the Moon Festival, or the Mid-Autumn Festival. The round shape symbolizes family reunio. Therefore the day is a holiday for family members to get together and enjoy the full moon – an auspicious token of abundance, harmony, and luck.

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Chinese allegories Lesson 21

tài suì tóu shang dòng tǔ – hăo dà de dăn
太岁头上动土 – 好大的胆
Dig clay near Taisui, a god in Chinese mythology – be reckless. This allegory is always used in the case when one risks offending a person of power and influence.

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鹊桥仙 A Love Poem about Qi Xi

Qixi Festival (七夕节), the seventh day of the 7th month on the Chinese lunar calendar,  falls on August 20 this year. It celebrates the annual meeting of the cowherd(牛郎) and weaver girl(织女) in Chinese mythology, so it is sometimes called the Chinese Valentine’s Day.

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中国数字 Nine九

The number  9  (九jiŭ), was historically associated with the Emperor of China, and the number was frequently used in matters relating to the Emperor, before the establishment of the imperial examinations officials were organized in the nine-rank system, the nine bestowments were rewards the Emperor made for officials of extraordinary capacity and loyalty, while the nine familial exterminations was one of the harshest punishments the Emperor sentenced; the Emperor’s robes often had nine dragons, and Chinese mythology held that the dragon has nine children. It also symbolizes harmony.

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